There’s no other way: Jamaica Inn revels in eco/sustainability efforts
IT APPEARS Hospitality Jamaica’s (HJ) Most Eco/Sustainable Award could have gone to any other hotel but Jamaica Inn. The long list of green initiatives at the hotel is implemented “with vigour and enthusiasm. There is no other way at Jamaica Inn,” the hotel says in response to winning the HJ 2019 Award. “We’re just proud to have won the award, proud to have been a part of the ceremony,” says Emanuella Owens, sales and marketing manager at the Ocho Rios-based resort. Owens said she is “immensely” proud of all the hotel has achieved, especially the sustainable efforts. “It’s been a long time coming. The team has worked very hard, multiple departments are working together to make sure we are a sustainable hotel. I know that it is a passion project of our general manager and our environmental health and safety manager and multiple team members, who are very passionate about the environment as well.” A Green Globe-certified hotel for the past six years, Jamaica Inn has implemented many green initiatives, such as composting, recycling waste, recycling grey water, tree-planting initiatives, use of renewable energy, use of eco-friendly chemicals in all departments, eliminating the use of styrofoam products, installation of LED bulbs in every area of the property. In addition, the hotel has implemented departmental ‘green mandates,’ offers the quarterly ‘Most Environmentally Aware’ award, established a green committee called the Green Transformers, and actively celebrates Earth Day with new and diverse initiatives each year. Two of the better-known projects that Jamaica Inn is involved in are the White River Fish Sanctuary and the turtle conservation programme. The RJRGLEANER Hospitality Jamaica Award would have lightened the hearts of the Jamaica Inn family, which is reeling from the recent tragic death of co-owner Peter Morrow. The hotel has dedicated the award to his memory. After nearly seven decades, the colonial-style boutique hotel remains one of the top luxury hotels in the Caribbean, and continues to attract prominent guests from across the world.